Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king, and of his seven counsellors, to enquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which is in thine hand;
Since you are being sent by the king and his seven advisors to investigate the situation in Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of your God which you carry with you;
The Persian king is officially sending Ezra to examine and manage religious affairs in Jerusalem, giving him authority to use God's law as his guide.
📚 Historical Context
Ezra was a priest and scribe living during the time of the Persian Empire, specifically under King Artaxerxes I around 458 BC, when the Jewish exiles were returning from Babylon to rebuild their community in Judah and Jerusalem. This verse comes from a royal decree where the king authorizes Ezra to investigate the affairs of Judah and enforce the Law of God, reflecting the Persian policy of allowing subject peoples to practice their religions as a means of maintaining order. It highlights the historical collaboration between secular rulers and religious leaders in the post-exilic period, emphasizing God's providence in restoring His people.
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